Malda, Aug. 5 -- A 48-year-old man is battling for life after being brutally hacked and shot in an alleged attack involving a former Pradhan of Trinamool Congress (TMC)-run gram panchayat and eight party workers at Sujapur in Kaliachak, Malda.
The victim, Israfil Sheikh, was allegedly attacked while returning from his goat farm on Tuesday evening. According to the complaint lodged by his wife, Saheda Khatun, at Kaliachak Police Station, the assailants repeatedly hacked him on the head, neck, chest and abdomen. His right hand and part of an ear were severed before the attackers allegedly fired two rounds at him and fled. Israfil was rushed to Malda Medical College and Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Saheda Khatun named former Sujapur Gram Panchayat Pradhan Arif Ali and eight alleged TMC workers in her police complaint. CCTV footage of the incident has reportedly surfaced and is being examined by investigators.
"My husband had done nothing wrong. They attacked him mercilessly with sharp weapons and then opened fire. I want every person involved to be arrested and given the strictest punishment," Saheda Khatun said. Police have launched an investigation and are analysing the CCTV footage. All the accused are absconding, and raids are underway to trace and arrest them. Mpost
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.